Title: "Test of Life"

Rated: R

Warning: SLASH ALERT! This story is a strong slash story…serious male/male relationship…and sexual content. This story does have a plot…and has a story a bit deeper than just a slash. But there willbe strong, serious, and sexual content. And there is also some choice language used and graphic descriptions to teen-angst situations. So kiddies go find another story to read, homophobes go find another story with straight characters, and flamers go find a newbie to flame.

Summary: Would risk your reputation and your status for love? Would you be willing to ignore gossip and rumors for love? Would you be able to dodge glances in the hallways for love? Would you leave your friends for love? Would you abandon your family for love? Would you go against all traditions for love? Or would you do nothing for love and never love again?

Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter find themselves in a relationship that has brought them to the brink of insanity. The Slytherin Prince, the most cunning and ambitious of all, finds himself vulnerable for the first time in his life and also finds jealousy can be found even in him. The Boy-Who-Lived, the brave hero against all odds, finds himself sinking further and further into a destructive depression and also finds the role of hero is to much even for him. Together they start down a dark and narrow path that will lead to the death of more than just themselves.

Characters will be tested as will the love of two people as they will soon find themselves taking the test of life.

Author's Note: It's been a while since I posted anything. But I think this story will make up for everything! I don't want to give anything away with the story…you'll just have to read and review! You know the drill with me…or if you don't…I accept all constructive criticism and deny all flamers because if you don't like the story that much…why did you read it in the first place? And take the time to write a review? I mean really. Anyways…and if you want, you can contact me on Myspace, Live Journal, Hogwarts Elite and You Tube…so if you want to contact me, simply ask for my account information in a review and I'll gladly get in touch with you. Well thanks for reviewing and I hope you like the story!

oh and please forgive any grammer/spelling errors. I'm sure there's a couple!


Part One: Merry Christmas

"WHAT WAS SO BLOODY IMPORTANT THAT YOU FELT THE NEED TO TALK TO ME IN PUBLIC? ARE YOU TRYING TO RUIN MY REPUTATION! Or could it be…you're tired of being so fucking jealous of me you wanted to bring me down to the lowest level of society with you! You make me sick! You make me regret ever even giving you a second of my time! I'm way too good for you…I'm so far above you Potter…it's time you face facts and accept the obvious. I don't love you…I never did…and I never will. I pity you. I hate you. Yeah…that's right Potter…I HATE YOU! I BLOODY HATE YOU! So stop following me around like a love sick puppy!" The blonde-haired boy screamed as his piercing gaze shot through the infamous Harry Potter.

Draco Malfoy…was at the ripe age of sixteen and already looked more like his father in more ways than one. His platinum blonde hair was neatly parted down the middle to allow his growing hair to fall loosely against his face. His skin, resembled porcelain and seemed to perfect to touch. His eyes, an unnatural shade of silver, were just a glimpse of the cold boy he had grown to be. He had grown an inch taller and yet his slender frame prevented any weight to be added to his being. He was handsome…and he knew it maybe to much.

Draco Malfoy continued to look upon the raven haired boy below him with a look of disgust he never felt humble enough to hide. Draco folded his arms proudly across his chest as his nose rose to the sky. "You're Pathetic Potter. Look what you have reduced to. And to think I used to be the jealous one." Draco spat once more as he watched Harry force himself to his feet.

"You still are the jealous one Draco. You will always be the jealous one. That's what's so pathetic." Harry replied with a cold voice as he forced himself to return the look of disgust. Harry Potter, now a sixteen year old hero had grown to look like no one left alive. His dark locks had grown long and shaggy…not about to allow a brush run through it. His skin was slightly kissed from the rays of the sun thanks to Quidditch and working in the garden for his summers. His eyes, a striking shade of green, were just a glimpse of the hero he had grown to hate. Unlike many boys, he had had kept his boyish appearance. Still tall, he was short compared to his peers, and he had kept his lean frame that was kept in shape from his role as Seeker. He was handsome…and he refused to believe it…maybe to much.

"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT!" Draco's fists tightened as he watched Harry smile at him mockingly. Without hesitation Draco pulled Harry up harshly by his collar and gracefully swung his fist towards the Gryffindor. His fist crashed into Harry's lip, busting it instantly. Draco curled his lips into a smirk as he followed a drop of blood down Harry's chin. He then released the boy from his grasp and watched him stagger backwards. A flicker of panic stained his cocky expression for a split second as he contemplated what he had just done.

It seemed as if the sheer sound of Draco's punch echoed through the very corridors in which the two had confronted each other in the midnight hours. It was past curfew, they we're the only ones awake in the world it seemed, and it was Christmas Eve at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Harry Potter's mouth filled with the taste of his own blood as he tried hard to keep his balance and looking up to Draco with such fear, shock, love and hate. He then felt himself being pulled forward and his sleeve roughly shoved up to reveal one of the many secrets the boy-who-lived kept from the world. Deep, recently healed cuts neatly placed in a straight line traveling up his once flawless skin.

"CUTTING YOURSELF AGAIN? So Dumbledore's precious pet has felt the need to do Lord Voldemort a favor. Why don't you just go a bit deeper next time…do us all a favor and stop wasting space!" Draco then slammed his right fist across Harry's cheek. Harry stumbled backwards once more as he raised his shaking hand up to his already swelling face. Before Harry could react Draco had shoved him up against the river-stone wall of the castle.

"DRACO STOP! PLEASE!" Harry pleaded while trying to suppress the Slytherin Prince's previous words from replaying in his mind.

"No. This time you have gone too far! You knew the rules…and yet you talk to me in broad daylight…in front of everyone…in the dinning hall. What was going through your mind? You forget your place Pot-"

"I think you're the one who forgot their place. You're my boyfriend…lover and my best friend…what was going through your mind when you just hit me?" Harry interrupted.

"Shut up with that talk. It's that kind of thinking that makes you weak. I'm not your boyfriend…I may be your lover…but only because I have needs and you're the easiest way to have my needs met. Consider yourself lucky. I refuse to be in the same room with a majority of this pathetic excuse for a school." Draco continued to talk down to Harry who was so close to tears he couldn't keep eye contact.

"But all those things you told me…after that night…when your father-"

"I didn't know how gullible you really are Potter. You should know by now…charm is my strong points…as well as dishonesty."

"Why…won't you love me?" Harry spoke barely above a whisper as if afraid to even ask.

"I won't love you Harry James Potter because I deserve more than you and I deserve better than you…I deserve the world and then some…and you…have barely a grain of sand to offer to me." Draco watched as Harry pried himself from his grasp and down the hall.

"OH NO YOU DON'T! I KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING! I DON'T WANT ANYONE THINKING I MAKE YOU CUT YOURSELF YOU FREAK!" Draco screamed as he ran and tackled Harry.

Like dominos they fell to the floor. Draco on top of Harry and Harry sobbing below him. Harry's face pressed against the cold stone floor as he tears created designs on the dusty stones under him.

"Do you want to know why I started talking to you today? Do you want to know why I broke the rules? Do you want to know?" Harry asked motionless.

"Yes…I am curious to see what possessed you to break my rules."

"…I-It's hard…for m-me to say…" Harry's shaking voice trailed off.

"Oh stop the dramatics." Draco spat as he slowly began to stand up. He dusted off his clothing as he waited for Harry to speak.

"I-I'm…"

"Just say it!"

"Draco…I'm sick…"